New workshop – new kit! We have just taken receipt at our Surrey worktop factory of our new CNC, which will add to our overall capacity and ease of dealing with some types of cut-out in granite and quartz kitchen worktops.
We have bought a Master 33 Stone Processing machine from Intermac. This is our most powerful tool yet for the production of sink cut-outs, grooves and drainers, and can handle complex shapes and profiles with its wide range of available cutting and polishing heads on a 3-axis, fast-moving, computer-controlled platform.
The machine is not small, and will be able to handle larger slabs than we have ever cut on our old CNC. Given the trend to larger islands in kitchens these days, often with sink or hob cut-outs, this is a major benefit of the upgrade.
The machine arrived by lorry, with a crane needed to lift it off. It was then manoeuvred into its temporary position in the new workshop. We are expecting to have everything plumbed in with power and water, and up and running after our week of close down, commencing on May 18th.
One of the difficulties of any major expansion or upgrade is always that there is a period of reduced productivity before the benefits really begin to be felt. This is a frustration, of course, as we are unable to sell what we might want to in May, but on the other hand this is a great time of year to be doing this kind of work. The weather has been kind and we have the summer period to get completely familiar with the new machinery and new workshop layout before we get into the autumn rush. We anticipate fitting more solid stone worktops this year than we ever have before.
The lorry ready for the machine to be removed.
The wiring loom for the machining head has to be both flexible and protected so all such machines use these caterpillar like chain-cages to hold the cabling together.
Shiny!
The crane lifted the CNC and then the lorry was driven out from underneath it.
And down.
Not everyone on the farm was equally interested in the process.
Into the workshop
The haulage company’s forklift is lifted back onto its parent lorry.
